25 Great Wines for Thanksgiving (2026)
Some Thanksgiving tables want a light red and a crisp white. Others have smoked turkey, mushroom gravy, a roast duck, and a guest who would happily drink Champagne through dessert. There’s room for all of that.
This year, we’ve grouped 25 wines by style: five reds, five whites, four rosés, four orange wines, five sparkling wines, and two dessert wines. Within each section, you’ll find lighter choices and bottles with more body or texture, plus a reason to open each with dinner.
Start with the category you enjoy, then look at what you’re cooking. You don’t need a different wine for every dish. Two or three well-chosen styles, passed around the table, can cover a lot of ground.
Red wines
Two gentler reds lead into a savory Cabernet Franc, generous Zinfandel, and a full-bodied Rhône blend. Match the weight of the wine to what’s on the plate: delicate turkey breast, smoked bird, or something richer altogether.
1. Foradori “Lezèr” Rosso, Trentino 2025
Style: Light; juicy and chillable
Price: $28.00
Lezèr means “light” in the local dialect, and that’s exactly the appeal here. Foradori’s biodynamically farmed Teroldego-led blend brings sour cherry, raspberry, violet, and pepper. Give it a slight chill and put it beside the bird. A useful red when you want freshness rather than weight.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, mushroom stuffing, and a board of speck and cheese.
2. Johan Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Van Duzer Corridor 2022
Style: Light to medium; silky and fresh
Price: $35.00
Johan’s breezy corner of Oregon’s Willamette Valley gives this Pinot plenty of freshness. Cranberry, red cherry, baking spice, and earth meet silky tannins. It’s medium-bodied, but sits on the gentler side of this red lineup. A lovely match for the mushrooms and herbs that make Thanksgiving dinner smell so good.
Pairs with: Turkey breast, mushroom gravy, and roasted root vegetables.
3. Le Rocher des Violettes Cabernet Franc, Touraine 2020
Style: Medium; herbal and savory
Price: $27.00
Cabernet Franc has a particular affinity for a savory Thanksgiving plate. This organically farmed Loire bottling brings raspberry and cherry, with violets, tobacco, and fresh herbs. There’s enough presence for sausage stuffing without dominating the turkey. Serve it at cellar temperature or with a small chill.
Pairs with: Herb-roasted turkey, sausage stuffing, and lentils with mushrooms.
4. Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zinfandel, California 2023
Style: Medium to full; generous and peppery
Price: $28.00
For the smokier end of the menu, open Bedrock. Vines averaging about 80 years old give us brambly berries, black cherry, licorice, and pepper, with a silky feel. This is a richer red for a substantial plate. It’s particularly useful when the turkey has spent the afternoon in a smoker.
Pairs with: Smoked turkey, sausage stuffing, and roasted mushrooms.
5. Domaine de la Charbonnière “Hautes Brusquières” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
Style: Full; mature and substantial
Price: $48.00
A fuller option for the table that includes lamb or duck. This Grenache-and-Syrah-led southern Rhône blend has cassis, black raspberry, licorice, and garrigue, the region’s wild-herb character. The 2012 vintage brings the interest of a mature bottle. Decant gently and give it the richest savory dishes.
Pairs with: Roast lamb, duck, dark turkey meat, and rich mushroom dishes.
White wines
The key with white wine and Thanksgiving: texture and acidity! These are our go-to whites.
6. Dönnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2023
Style: Light; dry and lively
Price: $22.00
Trocken means dry, and this is the bright, refreshing side of Riesling. Mandarin, peach, a little spice, and a mouthwatering finish make it useful across a crowded plate. At 10.5% alcohol, it has delicacy as well as flavor. Reach for it when dinner leans toward herbs, citrus, and lighter sides.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, herbed potatoes, and green beans.
7. Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc, Loire Valley 2023
Style: Light; mineral and precise
Price: $32.00
Baudry is best known for Cabernet Franc, but this small-production Chenin Blanc deserves attention. Quince, pear, and citrus come with a chalky edge and lively acidity. At 11.5% alcohol, it stays on the lighter side. Open it for the guests who love a white that feels fresh and focused.
Pairs with: Turkey breast, goat cheese, and roasted vegetables.
8. Bodegas Estefanía “Tilenus Monteseiros” Godello, Bierzo 2022
Style: Medium; rounded fruit with a fresh finish
Price: $19.99
Godello is a good bridge between crisp whites and richer Chardonnay. This Bierzo bottling brings honeydew, peach, tangerine, and floral notes, with enough acidity to keep the ripe fruit lively. Put it with roasted squash or turkey and let its rounded fruit meet the browned edges on the plate.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, butternut squash, and Manchego.
9. El Enemigo Chardonnay, Mendoza 2022
Style: Medium to full; layered and rounded
Price: $28.00
For Chardonnay drinkers who like some richness, El Enemigo brings ripe pear, stone fruit, toasted almond, and subtle vanilla. Integrated oak adds depth, while citrus and acidity keep it moving. This is a comfortable choice for gravy, butter, and creamy side dishes. Serve cool so the texture has room to show.
Pairs with: Turkey and gravy, creamy potatoes, and mushroom risotto.
10. Locanda Estate Chardonnay, Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard 2021
Style: Medium-bodied; richer oak texture
Price: $45.00
Locanda’s single-vineyard Carneros Chardonnay combines ripe stone fruit and pear with almond and honeyed mineral notes. It’s medium-bodied, with the added texture of aging in new French oak and enough acidity to hold its shape. Choose it when you want a more substantial white beside the richest sides.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and creamy mushroom dishes.
Rosé wines
Two brighter, more delicate bottles and two with more texture. Rosé can handle a serious dinner or no food at all! We love its versatility -- and it's so pretty in the glass!
11. Pasquale Pelissero “Crosè” Rosato, Piemonte 2023
Style: Lighter; bright and floral
Price: $14.99
Nebbiolo makes a particularly pretty rosato here: rose, violet, raspberry, and red currant, with a bright mineral character. Stainless-steel aging keeps the focus on freshness. This is the delicate end of our rosé lineup, and a useful bottle when the plate has plenty of vegetables and herbs.
Pairs with: Turkey breast, herbed salads, and roasted carrots.
12. Wölffer Estate “Summer in a Bottle” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2024
Style: Lighter; crisp and saline
Price: $26.00
The name says summer, but the wine is perfectly welcome in November. This Provençal rosé brings tangerine, peach, flowers, and a saline finish. It’s a fresh, polished choice for salmon instead of turkey, or for the lighter plates at the table. Serve well chilled, then let it open up in the glass.
Pairs with: Roast salmon, turkey breast, and a cheese board.
13. Frank Cornelissen “Susucaru” Rosato, Terre Siciliane 2024
Style: Medium; textured with gentle grip
Price: $28.00
Susucaru sits toward the light-red end of rosé. About ten days on the skins give this Etna blend texture and gentle tannin around wild strawberry, sour cherry, blood orange, and mountain herbs. It’s a good option when pale, delicate rosé feels too slight for what’s cooking.
Pairs with: Dark turkey meat, charred vegetables, and mushroom stuffing.
14. Clos Cibonne Cuvée Tradition Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2023
Style: Medium to fuller; savory and textural
Price: $37.00
Tibouren leads this distinctive rosé, which spends a year in old wooden casks under a thin veil of yeast. Tangerine peel, strawberry, and a saline edge come with real texture. Give it a proper wineglass and a seat at dinner. It has the substance for the savory, richer parts of the plate.
Pairs with: Herb-roasted turkey, squash, and sausage stuffing.
Orange wines
Orange wine is white wine made like one would make a red wine (keeping the skins in contact with the grape juice). These four move from light and approachable toward more texture and tannin. Serve them chilled!
15. Jos! Wines “Flash” Orange Wine, Kakheti 2022
Style: Lighter; fresh and aromatic
Price: $22.00
A friendly place to start with orange wine. Georgia’s Mtsvane and Kisi grapes bring peach blossom, melon rind, wildflowers, and a hint of golden raisin. The middle is soft and the finish bright. Serve lightly chilled with the vegetables and cheeses, then see where it goes with the main meal.
Pairs with: Roasted vegetables, brie, and herb-roasted turkey.
16. Broc Cellars “Amore Bianco,” Mendocino 2023
Style: Light to medium; gentle texture
Price: $28.00
Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friulano, and Trebbiano make a skin-contact blend with mango, lychee, honeydew, and a hint of green tea. Concrete and sandstone aging add structure without turning it into a heavy wine. At 10% alcohol, it’s an approachable option for anyone curious about the softer side of orange.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, spiced squash, and a spread of vegetable sides.
17. Union Sacré “40 Days,” Central Coast 2024
Style: Medium; aromatic with more grip
Price: $23.00
Forty days on the skins give this Gewürztraminer-led blend its name and its texture. Orange blossom, honeysuckle, chamomile, and dried citrus peel come with gentle tannic grip. Pour it when the menu gets more fragrant or spicy. Floral aromas don’t necessarily mean sweetness; here, the interest is perfume and structure.
Pairs with: Roast duck, spiced squash, and washed-rind cheeses.
18. Matthiasson Estate Ribolla Gialla, Napa Valley 2021
Style: Medium to fuller; structured and savory
Price: $48.00
Steve Matthiasson grows this Friulian grape in his Napa home vineyard and makes it with skin contact. Hazelnut, baking spice, lemon curd, and pear meet stony minerality and supple tannins. The wine has surprising weight for its moderate alcohol. This is the orange option for a substantial, savory plate.
Pairs with: Turkey and gravy, roasted mushrooms, and aged cheeses.
Sparkling wines
Two lighter options, a red-fruited rosé, and two with broader texture. Weight here means how the wine feels in the glass, not how sweet it is. Sparkling wine can stay at the table from beginning to end!
19. Sommariva Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV
Style: Lighter; fresh and lively
Price: $19.00
Hillside Glera from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene gives this family-made Prosecco its green apple, pear, citrus, and white-flower character. Fine bubbles and a clean finish make it an easy first pour. Open it when people arrive and there’s something salty on the counter. It’s also a useful choice for a larger gathering.
Pairs with: Fried appetizers, prosciutto, and a light cheese board.
20. Lambert de Seyssel “Petit Royal,” Savoie NV
Style: Light to medium; floral with a mineral core
Price: $24.00
Molette and Altesse, two local alpine grapes, make a sparkling wine with wildflower, honeyed, and toasted-brioche notes. Traditional-method bubbles and a mineral core give it depth without making it heavy. This is a lovely step from the first toast into dinner, particularly alongside eggs, cheese, and the lighter turkey meat.
Pairs with: Deviled eggs, soft cheese, and roast turkey.
21. Domaine Baud “Génération 9” Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé NV
Style: Medium; red-fruited and rounded
Price: $22.00
Ninth-generation siblings Bastien and Clémentine Baud make this traditional-method rosé entirely from Pinot Noir. Red currant and morello cherry ride on fine bubbles. It gives you a little more red-fruit presence than the lightest sparkling wines here, which makes it particularly handy when the charcuterie board turns into Thanksgiving dinner.
Pairs with: Charcuterie, dark turkey meat, and tart cranberry relish.
22. Chavost Blanc d’Assemblage Brut Nature Champagne NV
Style: Medium to fuller; creamy texture, bone-dry finish
Price: $57.40
Chardonnay and Meunier bring pear, apple, lemon pith, marzipan, and chalk to this Champagne. The mousse is creamy, but the finish is bone dry: brut nature means no dosage is added. Choose it when you want more texture in your sparkling wine, especially with rich pastry or buttery food.
Pairs with: Gougères, fried appetizers, and turkey with rich gravy.
23. Yves Cuilleron “Vionnier” Méthode Traditionnelle Brut Nature 2022
Style: Medium to fuller; broad fruit and savory lees
Price: $28.00
Sparkling Viognier is an unexpected but useful Thanksgiving option. Cuilleron’s traditional-method bottling combines orange, pear, apricot, and white flowers with a yeasty, savory edge from time on the lees. There’s no dosage, so the fruit and floral aromas finish dry. Try it with squash and the richer sides.
Pairs with: Roast turkey, butternut squash, and creamy cheeses.
Dessert wines
One light and gently sparkling; one richer, fortified, and velvety. Both are sweet, and each belongs with a different kind of dessert.
24. Elvio Tintero Moscato d’Asti “Sorì Gramella” 2025
Style: Light; sweet and gently sparkling
Price: $18.00
For a lighter finish, this single-vineyard Moscato d’Asti brings citrus blossom, ripe grapes, sweetness, and a gentle spritz. At 5% alcohol, it’s delicate enough for fruit desserts without feeling weighty. Serve well chilled in small glasses. It’s especially welcome when the pie is more apples and pastry than caramel.
Pairs with: Apple pie, pear tart, and fruit cobbler.
25. Domaine La Tour Vieille Banyuls Réserve NV
Style: Fuller; sweet, fortified, and velvety
Price: $40.00
Banyuls is made for the richer end of dessert. This Grenache-based fortified wine brings fig, black cherry, plum compote, cocoa, coffee, and warm spice. Barrel aging adds gently oxidative depth. Pour a small glass with chocolate or a chocolate-pecan tart, or let it be dessert on its own.
Pairs with: Chocolate desserts, chocolate-pecan tart, and blue cheese.
A few easy ways to build your table
A lighter traditional dinner: Foradori Lezèr, Dönnhoff Riesling, and Sommariva Prosecco. Fresh fruit, lively acidity, and room for the turkey and herbs to speak.
A richer, savory dinner: Bedrock Zinfandel for smoked turkey, El Enemigo Chardonnay for creamy sides, and Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla for mushrooms and gravy.
A table built around vegetables: try Jos! Flash with roasted vegetables and cheese, Susucaru with charred sides, and Godello with squash.
A sweet finish: Tintero Moscato with fruit pie; Banyuls with chocolate. Keep the dry dinner wines for dinner and let dessert have a bottle of its own.
Serve them at their best
Chill sparkling wines and Moscato well. Serve still whites, rosés, and orange wines cool, then let them warm a little in the glass so their texture and aromas show. Give the lighter reds a short spell in the fridge; keep the fuller reds at a cool room temperature. Gently decant the mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape if needed, leaving any sediment behind.
A standard 750ml bottle gives roughly five 5-ounce pours. Plan around your guest count and the number of glasses you expect to serve, and open bottles as you need them. Keep water and something festive without alcohol on the table, too.
For help pairing individual dishes, see our Thanksgiving wine pairing guide.
Food & Wine Pairing
